The MacTighernan DNA Test

McTernan / McTiernan / MacTiernan

The goal is to map all MacTighernans both genetically and
geographically.
With 94 tests completed and 4 TBR, the DNA sampling in
this test is random currently from 94 MacTighernans or surname variants
from around the world that at the time of testing live in eleven
countries on five continents with no correlation except the same
surname and the same close proximity of origin in Cos Leitrim, Sligo,
Roscommon and Cavan. Like most Irish families, the deep time history of
the MacTighernans is all but lost.

The DNA test is perhaps the only chance to
begin to make any family connections as many of the MacTighernan
families
like a smaller scale of the larger Irish Diaspora have
scattered to
distant lands in the world and live there today. The spelling of the
surname does not really matter as the historical spelling never seems
to
match the current spelling in many of the families so the Gaelic
spelling of MacTighernan is used to cover all the variants of our
surname including McKiernan.
To date, almost all 94 tested MacTighernans that know their origins
come from this small area in NW Ireland shown in green on the map on
the left, 450 square miles more or less with the three exceptions, Gus,
Michael (NJ) and Terry whose verbal family history states that their
line is from Scotland and David (CN)'s verbal family history states
that his family is from the Kilarney Lakes, Co Kerry area of Ireland.
Based on the DNA study at this point in time it appears that the
origins of most MacTighernans, 62 out of 94 are in Co Leitrim. Clay
MacTarnaghan's family origin is in Co Antrim. The Google earth
satellite image that marks the townland origin of each MacTighernan if
known is at this site:
http://mctiernan.com/McTmaps.htm

While Leitrim is one county, it is historically divided into North and
South Leitrim with Lough Allen being the dividing line. In South
Leitrim from the mid 1500s, the Irish Clan way of life was under
serious threat. An increasingly powerful English administration was
slowly but surely extending its influence and dominion. In a visit to
Mohill in 1540, the Saxons destroyed the monastery and beheaded the
guardian and several of the friars. By 1590, the English government
forces were actively routing the local clans. All MacTighernans in the
DNA test from Leitrim come from north Leitrim with the exceptions of Ed
(NJ), [Scott (CO), Cathal, Sean-SF], Jim III and Charles whose family
origins are in townlands in South Leitrim.

Philip O'Rorke,
The O'Ruairc of Bréifne whose family were the past kings of Drumahaire
in Co Leitrim has taken the DNA test. The O'Rorke DNA web site is
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/roark/. The O'Conor Don, Cathal
Crovderg O'Conor,
whose ancestors were the past high kings of all of Ireland has has also
taken the DNA test. So far we do not genetically relate to either one.
With the tests completed so far we 94 MacTighernans fall into 18
separate, distinct and unrelated genetic groups.

Genetic diversity equals age. The more diverse genetic make up
of a population in a specific area, the older it is. In all the world,
Africa has the most diverse genetic makeup. Ethiopia, the Horn of
Africa has the most genetic diversity in all of Africa which is where
the first humans gathered to exit and populate the rest of the world.
Western Europe including Ireland has the least diverse genetic
population of all areas on earth. So in Africa the population moved and
in western Europe they did not, genetically speaking. The Genographic
project sponsored by National geographic and IBM goes into this in
great
detail https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html
select "Results." Enter FWRFL845CH
in all capital letters and click "Continue". Continue
without Registering on the right-hand side.

There is no way to know for certain what the total number is for
distinct genetically separate MacTighernans on a worldwide basis. In
1659 only 4275 people lived in all of Co Leitrim of which
MacTighernans were 38, 26 in north Leitrim and 12 in south
Leitrim.

The below is taken from the book
the life and
times of Sir Frederick Hamilton 1599--1647. The Leitrim
town of Manorhamilton is named after Sr Frederick, who is known for his
habit of hanging a Catholic a day.

In or about 1620 several Leitrim locals were given lands in James I
plantation effort. A Mulmory MacTernan is listed as a lesser grantee
during James I Plantation effort in Leitrim. In 1641, Mulmory
MacTernan, of Lisnanorrus, chief of the clan, was a resident justice of
the
peace for Co
Leitrim. Some years earlier he was the Co. Leitrim Sheriff.
As such he was the important man in the county also owning the
neighboring townlands, Drumbrahade, Lisacoghil, Lisnanaw, Tullintowell
and possibly Greaghnaglogh. The 1847 Griffith's validation list
possible descendents: Thomas in Lisnanorrus and James in
Greaghnaglogh. The 1901 and 1911 census list a Thomas, 1871--,
and his wife Mary, 1873--, in Lisnanorrus with two children, John
Francis, 1897--, and Anne, 1902--.

The undertakers
were listed as receiving the divided lands of The O'Rourke. Mulmory
MacTernan is listed as receiving 500 acres of O'Rourke land which was
at the lower end of the scale. The expectation was for the grantee to
keep the local natives in check. The grants to lesser sub chiefs
[like MacTernan] were to help crush the power of the O'Rourkes once and
for all. The king
took a higher percentage of the confiscated land in Leitrim as opposed
to other counties as the Leitrim natives needed more civilization than
the midlands. In February 1642, Sir Frederick Hamilton sent a
force of 80 horse
and
foot to relieve
the protestants at Parke Castle. On their return to Sir Frederick's
castle they were attacked by 1000 Irish rebels. After a fierce
battle
the English won and killed 60 of the rebels. Mulmory MacTernan
was one
of the 60 killed.

North Leitrim's largest town, Manorhamilton back in the mist of time
was called "O'Rourke's little fields". Its recent name was given to one
of the most dreaded local rulers, Sir Frederick Hamilton who came to
Manorhamilton from Scotland and founded a castle in 1638. He was the
grandson of James II, Earl of Arran. It was said that Sir
Frederick was used as an example if you were trying to make Cromwell
look good. He was to use the gallows in Manorhamilton daily, to hang a
Catholic. One of his last and many acts of destruction was the burning
of Carr Castle, a stronghold of the O'Rourkes at Glencar in 1641.

Lord Hamilton had invited the local chiefs to dine at his castle with
the intention of killing them while they ate. As the time approached
for the servants to do the deed, the old Irish piper providing the
music for the feast played the song, "Make your visits short and far
between". Too busy eating to notice, the local chiefs were killed. Lord
Hamilton and his castle fell in 1652 when attacked by the Royalist
Clanricard and Owen Roe O'Neill. As per Lorcan O'Runai in his book
"From Rosclougher to Rooskey": Lord Hamilton escaped from his castle
hiding in a group of women released by Owen. It is said that he shed
tears as he paused on horseback to take a last look at his castle in
flames.

Most likely our early history falls under one of these three noted
MacTighernans

Earlier in the 11th century two MacTighernan families were noted in
Irish
history as chiefs, Lord McTernan of Tullyhunco, Co Cavan and the
McTernans of Co Fermanagh. Their lines may well be extent at this point
in time. In recent history, at least since the famine years, most of
the MacTighernans in Ireland are found in Co Sligo and Co Leitrim. The
historical family origins of the majority of the 94 DNA testers are in
Co
Leitrim. How we might connect to them or to each other is very
difficult to prove as written records in Ireland usually start at
around the 1850s going no further back in time.

The McTernans of Co Fermanagh may have disappeared and there are no
known descendants of the other two 19th century historically well known
MacTighernan families from Rockfield and Tullyhunco listed below. The
seat of the Tullyhunco MacTighernan family for many hundreds of years
was Cruacan mic Tigearnain where The O'Rourke was inaugurated
Prince of the Bréfny. It is now called Croaghan, lying six furlongs
[3/4 mile] northerly of the village of Killeshandra in the barony of
Tullyhunco in Co Cavan. The MacTighernan castle ruins is at this web
site: http://mctiernan.com/castle.htmIn Irish history the Rockfield McTernans were part of the landed
gentry which translates to being well off being able to send the
kids off overseas to boarding schools. One went to medical school
in Paris
and ended up a surgeon in HMS Naval service seeing action in the War of
1812 in the Chesapeake Bay in America and also being on the island of
St. Helena
when Napoleon died.

According
to John C. McTernan's
recent book titled Sligo Families,
vol II, Leet's Directory (1812-1814) listed three McTernan
'seats' or residences, namely that of Con at Rockfield [noted above],
James of Leonagh and Hugh [ T group baseline ] at Mount Allen in Co
Roscommon whose family was originally from Sweetwood townland in Co
Leitrim.

A recumbent tombstone in Killargue old cemetery behind the chapel
bearing the family coat-of-arms, is inscribed with the names of Farrel
McTernan, 1752--1818 and his wife Mary Dolan, 1752--1798. Farrel is the
given name of the earliest known ancestor of Hugh McTiernan (Bos)
family line who is in the T2 DNA Group.

The Chapel of Creevelea was the traditional burial place of the
McTernans of Rockfield, Mount Allen and Heapstown [and Sheskin] where
large recumbent flagstones mark their final resting places. In close
proximity another memorial links the families of O'Rourke
and McTernan
and is inscribed as follows: Here
lyeth the bodye of Hugh O'Roirk and Catherine McTernan who departed
this life May 22, 1721. This is the mysterious gravestone that
has the symbols of playing cards, heart, spade, diamond and club along
with the etching of a cat which in O'Ruaric history is supposed to have
awaken him from a nap in a pasture preventing him from being captured
by enemies. The foot of the McTernan Achievement at left states: The
McTernan coat of arms hereby illustrated is officially documented in
Burke's General Armory. The original description of the Arms [at left]
is as follows: Two lions pass., GU. When translated the Blazon also
describes the original colors of McTernan Arms as: Ermine; two red
lions walking. Above the shield and helmet is the crest which is
described as: A Red Griffin Standing, Green Wings Raised.

This info can be
complex so please read the headers and footers in all the following
grids to make it easier to understand

The 18 separate, distinct and different MacTighernan DNA groups
start with the letterT which
is just a naming convention as each of the DNA groups are in all ways
equal, none being more pure than the other.

The genetic and
geographic spread of the 94 MacTighernan testers, 73 of the 94 know
their county of origin, 61 of the 94 know their townland

MacTighernan
Testers County of Origin

Testers
that know theirtownland of origin

Tester's country at time of test

Tester'scontinent

Testers

All
identified
MacTighernans

DNA
Group

Leitrim

Sligo

Kerry

Roscommon

Cavan

Antrim

Scot-
land

Unknown

Total

Leitrim

51

America

North
America

42

129

T

20

1

1

2

5

29

Sligo

4

Ireland

Europe

21

36

Ta

2

1

3

Roscommon

1

England

Europe

15

51

Tb

1

1

Cavan

2

Canada

North
America

6

9

Tc

1

1

Kerry

1

Australia

Oceania

2

35

Td

1

1

Antrim

1

Indonesia

Asia

1

1

Te

1

1

Scotland

1

Zimbabwe

Africa

1

1

Tf

1

1

Unknown

33

Iraq

Asia

1

1

T3

10

3

1

1

15

Northern
Ireland

Europe

3

14

T3a

3

1

1

5

Scotland

Europe

1

80

T3b

1

1

Japan

Asia

1

T3c

1

1

1

3

Norway

Europe

1

T3d

4

4

Spain

Europe

2

T3e

1

1

Switzerland

Europe

1

T4

1

1

New
Zealand

Oceania

1

5

T5

1

1

Wales

Europe

2

T6

1

1

Phillipines

Asia

1

T2

16

1

6

23

Dubai

Asia

1

T2a

2

2

Current
Total

62

5

1

1

3

1

3

18

94

Total

94

11

5

94

371

TBR

3

1

4

in
process

The goal is to map the genetic and
geographic profile of all MacTighernans, our origins and connections.

Listed below are the possible centers of
origin for each MacTighernan in the 18 different DNA groups if known

18
distinct MacTighernan
DNA Group baselines

Looking solely
at baselines, possible townland
of origin for each of the 18 DNA Groups

The
O'Rorketest and the O'Conor
Don Cathal Crovderg O'Conor testcompleted

2

The ancestors of the two McTernan families
from Leonagh in Co Leitrim, Rory's from Sweetwood in Co Leitrim & Mountallen, Co Roscommon and mine from Sheskin, Co Leitrim all
of whom are in the T Group are buried in the Abbey of Creevelea, Co
Leitrim. Rory's earliest known ancestral home is in Sweetwood, Co
Leitrim and then in Mountallen Townland in Co Roscommon which has the
date 1671 etched in the fire place mantle which implies the year of
construction of their family
home. From Mount Allen the family moved to Heapstown, Co
Sligo. John C. McTernan [T3a], the well known Co Sligo arthur and
retired Chief Librarian of Co Sligo in his book Sligo Families II writes that the
Mount Allen / Heapstown McTernan family originally came from Sweetwood,
Co Leitrim and relate to the Leonagh, Sheskin and Rockfield McTernan
families. Three of these four families are buried at the Abbey of
Creevelea with the Rockfield McTernans whose male line has become
extent buried in their family vault at Brockley
Cemetery, Parish of Lewisham, Kent, England.

Relationship of the DNA Groups to each other: The T
and T3 Group baselines only have 16 out of 25 DYS markers that
match. More than 1/3 of the markers do not match resulting in a 9 loci
pattern mutation
event difference. The T2 Group baseline has an
8 loci difference to the baselines of both the T Group and the T3 Group.
Philip O'Rorke, The O'Ruairc of Bréifne has a 9 loci mutation event
difference with the baselines of the T and the T2 Groups
but only a 7 loci mutation
event difference with the T3 Group baseline. The
O'Conor Don has a 21 / 25 match to the T3a baseline. If you are in one
DNA group you do not genetically relate to any other MacTighernan in
any other DNA Group.

Those in the
baselines for each of the 18 separate MacTighernan DNA groups are a
perfect 25 / 25 genetic match to each other in their group

DNA
Group

Total
# in
Group

#
in
Baseline
Group

Those
MacTighernans with a perfect match in their specific DNA group forming
their group baseline
are below, excludes The O'Ruairc
of Bréifne. & The O'Connor Don10 of the 18 DNA groups have
only one individual so far

1.Locate Reverend Stephen's
"copybook" He was interested in historical
and Gaelic matters for
which he was made a member of the Royal Irish Academy in
1884. In
addition, Rev. Stephen McTernan was a member of the Societe Generale in
Paris, France for
which he received an annual sum of money. Reverend Stephen's personal
papers were uncovered in 1907, by Rev.
Charles Comey,
curate of Cloonclare, Manorhamilton. The papers were
found in St. Claire's Chapel in Manorhamilton. Cloonclare was in the
ancient parish of Cloonloger, now included in the Catholic parish of
Drumlease, Co. Leitrim. More on his
personal papers which are called the
"Copybook"
Finding this may be a key to unlocking
the wider McTernan
family history as Rev. Stephen kept this diary from childhood.
Rev
Stephen is
my 1st cousin, 3 generations removed in the T Group.

2. Understand the O'Rourke and McTernan connection in the Chapel
of
Creevelea
as it was the traditional burial place of the McTernans of
Rockfield, Mount Allen and Heapstown [and Sheskin] where large
recumbent flagstones mark their final resting places. In close
proximity another memorial links the families of O'Rourke and McTernan
and is inscribed as follows: Here
lyeth the bodye of Hugh O'Roirk and
Catherine McTernan who departed this life May 22, 1721. This is
the mysterious gravestone that has the symbols of playing cards, heart,
spade, diamond and club along with the etching of a cat. Tieone of the future DNA
testers to The O'Ruairc of Bréifne
whose family were the past kings of
Drumahaire in Co Leitrim

3. Tieone of the DNA
testers to the James McTernans, of the Rockfield McTernans a
British naval surgeon who
was in
the squadron which protected St. Helena during the residence there of
Napoleon,
and was present on
the island at the death of that
distinguished, but unfortunate monarch in 1821. James was also the
surgeon on a British warship in the Chesapeak Bay in the War of
1812.
In historical
documents the Rockfield McTernans and the Heapstown McTernans [ Rory's
line in the T group baseline ]
are called kinsmen and are related via the maternal line with the
paternal link
still unknown.

4. Understandthe meaning ofthe 4,000 year old
Cairn located on Rory's Heapstown
family estate. What might be the connectionto Rory's McTernan family
who are in
the T Group baseline.

5. The McTernan
School: located in Waterbury, CT.
In 2005, St.
Margaret's-McTernan school changed its name to Chase Collegiate
School. The new name honors the Chase family, which helped to
found
both St. Margaret's and the McTernan
School. Charles McTernan
from Foxbourgh, MA founded the
school. Male line may descend from Charles' uncle, Patrick,
1863--, who was born in Boston. Charles' son Donald married
and lived in France having
two
daughters. This family originally immigrated to the
Boston area from Co Leitrim. Long shot for DNA match.

6. Private Patrick McTiernan, --2-1858, service number 3755 Private in
the 34th
Foot (Cumberland Regiment)
was wounded in the final attack on the Redan in the Crimean War and
also served in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Awarded the Indian Mutiny
Medal: The Indian Mutiny Medal was a campaign medal approved in
1858, for issue to officers and men of British and Indian units who
served in operations in suppression of the Indian Mutiny. He died along
the Gangis River in February 1858. His Army
records state that he was from Co Leitrim and his wife's name was Jane.
To what family
does he
belong ?

7. Private John McTiernan, --6-3-1876, Private in the 88th Foot (1st
Cannaught
Rangers) fought in the Indian Mutiny of 1857 in the battle of
Central India and awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal. Central
Indiabattle: January -
June 1858. Awarded to all those who served
under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose in actions against Jhansi,
Kalpi,
and
Gwalior.
Also awarded to those who served with Major-General Roberts in
the Rajputana Field Force and Major-General Whitlock of the Madras
Column, between January and June 1858. To what family does he
belong ?

8. McTiernan, --<1911, a soldier in the British Army serving
in
India who married a girl named Susan from Co Tipperary about
1894.
They had 2 children, Eveleen McTernan 1897--, born in Co Tipperary and
Patrick
Larsfield McTernan,
1895--, born in Colaba, St. Joseph, Bombay India. In 1901 the family
was living on Melsop St in Co Offaly. In 1911 they lived on Eden
St,
Co Offaly.

11. Bernardette McTiernan, 1890--1893, most likely the sister of Thomas
above. Died at the army station of Mount Abu which is a popular hill
station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan
state in western India near the border with Gujarat. There is
no mention of her parents in records.

12. Whereaboutsof the
McTernan Stone, an excessively heavy round stone thrown by Thomas
McTernan known as Long Tom from Ardvoley,
the grandfather of John-Rev in
the T
Group
baseline. The stone thereafter was known as the McTernan
Stone. The Stone lies now in the area of Killavoggy.

13. Tirmactiernan,
Co. Leitrim
on the banks of the Shannon/Erne canal system in South Leitrim.
About 7.1 KM from Carrick on Shannon. Why was it named Tirmactiernan
and any connection to any in the DNA test.

14. What
might be our connectionto Rathmactiernane,a townland
in Killoran parish, Co Sligo listed in the Hearth roll of 1665 with Cahill McTanist?

15. A horse by
the name of MacTiernan is racing in Dublin for the
2010 to 2012
season. He is running well, previously owned by Christine
Kiernan.
Whydid she name the horse
MacTiernan ?

16. Cathal Mac Tigernan was King of West Connacht... died
1059... which means he predates the O'Rourkes. Áed in Gai Bernaig, King of
Connacht from 1046 to 1067, had invaded and conquered Maigh Seóla in 1051, blinding its king.
Cathal mac Tigernán is the next ruler of the kingdom recorded
upon his death in 1059.

17. Origin of the 3 ring forts in the townland of Listernan, Co Cavan
and why, the name which in Gaelic means Ternan's fort ?

18. So far none of
the MacTighernans genetically match either The O'Ruairc or The O'Conor
Don

Solved so far

19. The pamphlet
written in 1845 by James
MacTernan, <1815--1855, of the Mount Allen McTernans that
settled at Heapstown,
in Co. Sligo entitled: "An Address to my
Fellow Countrymen", in which James claimed descent from Tiernan
O'Rourke, Prince of
Breffni. Found by John C. McTernan. This
James
McTernan also invented a new breed of horse called the Buckshot
Chestnut. This is Rory MacTiernan's family in
the T Group baseline.

20. The McTernan Street
in Cambridge, MA, USA
formerly Lake St. right outside of County Boston. This is Myles
McTernan's
family: Te
DNA Group

21. McTernan
Road,
Tinderry, NSW, Australia 2626: is named
after the pioneering McTernan family of the area, descending from Hugh and
Mary McTernan of Michelago of which Scott (AU) & Richard descend in
the
Ta DNA Group

25. McTiernan
Way,
a road in downtown Minto named on 9-2-2013 by the Village of
Minto, New Brunswick, Canada after the long history of the family in
fire
prevention. This is Michael (CN)'s family in the T DNA Group.

26. Lac
McTiernan, a lake in
Quebec, Canada, a 7 hour drive north of Ottawa and 5 hours
north of Montreal. Lac McTiernan was named after William
McTiernanborn in Bryson,
Canada. He worked
for the Canadian International Paper Company in the early 1930’s. To
find out more about this man and his father, David McTiernan, who both
worked in the back country of Gatineau River, read the
following book, particularly chapters 14 and 15, CRAWFORD, Venetia, et Gunda LAMBTON. The
Wildest Rivers – the Oldest Hills : Tales of the Gatineau and Pontiac,
Maitland, Ontario: Canadian International Paper Company
may have been bought by E
B Eddy Company. The family had
a home in the Mason Lumber camp operated by the E. B. Eddy
Company. This is Maggie's family in the T Group.

If anyone has any information on any of the remaining unsolved
mysteries above
please
let me know

The McTiernans haven't held tenaciously
to their family name over centuries sometimes under duress if did not
mean something of real value to them. A legitimacy to their culture and
land that stretched back into the distant past to an ancestral line.
The Scribe O' Clery in his genealogies refers to two families of Mc
Tiernans of North Leitrim, the Clann Tiarnain Bunnaidhe that is the
McTiernans of the Bonnet (Drumahaire) and the Clann Tiarnain na Caraha
or the McTiernans of Corry (between Drumkerrin and Lough Allen) could
this explain at least two of the main groups? There is also a
possibility that some of those in groups of their own represent the
last survivors of the true McTiernan lineage and that the 3 main groups
are very successful interlopers? courtesy of Austin McTiernan.

DNA Scoring

Each DNA Group is of equal standing. Each group's baseline is
where all in that group started. The baselines of the 18 distinct
DNA groups form automatically when
2 or more MacTighernans genetically match each other perfectly, 25 / 25
then they become the baseline of that specific group. Matches of
23 or 24 out of 25 are in that group just not in the baseline.

Distance 1: 24 / 25 Probability of a close relationship is very
high. You share the same surname (or a variant) with another male [and
close proximity of origin] you mismatch by only one 'point' on only one
marker. For most closely related and same surnamed individuals, the
mismatch markers are usually either DYS 439 or DYS 385 A, 385 B,389-1
and 389-2 from our first panel of 12 markers, and on the following from
the second panel of 13 markers: DYS #'s 458 459 a 459b 449, 464 a-d,
which have shown themselves to move most rapidly.

Distance 2: 23 / 25 Probably
related. You share the same surname (or a variant) with another male
[and close proximity of origin] and you mismatch by two 'points' among
the 25 markers tested. The probability of a close relationship is good,
however your results show mutations, and therefore more time between
you and the other MacTighernan.

Distance 3: 22 / 25 Probably
not related. You share the same surname (or a variant) but are off by 3
'points' or 3 locations on the 25 markers tested. The following 2
charts show matches that are close but yet still outside of the
threshold to match.

JohnL above is only a 22 / 25 match to
the baseline of the T3d group but is a cousin to Thady and Sean, hence
JohnL is positioned in the T3d Group. JohnEN and Cathal-NI are
related. Above numbers for perfect match of 25 / 25 are in
red background - for the specific DNA groups, the red + sign means the grouped individuals are
related

How we match, 25
is perfect match--the T2 & T2a Groups

How 25 of 94 MacTighernans in 2 of the 18 DNA Groups match each
other based on mutation event
differences

Warren
McTernan is the sole McTernan in the T4 DNA group and is a 5 out of 25
marker match with the T Group and a 7 out of 25 with the T3 Group.
Clay MacTarnaghan is the sole tester in the T5 DNA Group. A
22 / 25 match or less in the previous grids most likely means no common
genetic ancestor or the common ancestor is well beyond 2000 years or 70
generations back in time, as in T Group baseline compared to
the T3 Group baseline which is a 16 / 25 match. Surnames came
into existence in the year 1120 more or less. Gene who is in the T
Group is an exception as his 3 mutations occurred in only one locus and
is considered a radical mutation but is still listed as being in the T
Group.JohnL is a 22 / 25 match to the T3d
baseline but is a cousin to Thady and Sean in the T3d baseline.

94 tests completed in the MacTighernan DNA
test as of July 20, 2014In process means the kit
is at the testing lab, TBR means kit is to be returned

In process
at lab

TBR

Total

MacTighernans

94

4

98

The
O'Ruairc of Bréifne: Philip O'Rorke

1

The O'Conor Don: Cathal Crovderg
O'Conor

1

Totals

94

4

98

Mark may relate to Martin from
Dublin as both families are from the townland of Leonagh. Peter
McTiernan of Canada is related to Michael (CN). Turner Bluechel through
his maternal line is related to Rory and his sister Alannah. The symbol
"<" is an event that occurred before that year and a
">" is an event that occurred after that year, e.g.
<1800 means born before 1800.

12 in the T Group baseline
of the 29 total
Ancestor lines in the T Group

DNA kit numbers in above chart are in Italic, other
numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in red and are the baseline for the T DNA group

All townlands above are in Co
Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row is tester's location at the
time of the testAncestors in the light colored row in the above grid
were born c. 1800. * = immigrant

In the below grid, Joe's
family of Naas, Co Kildare is related to Sean-sol.. The
symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that year and a ">"
is an event that occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born
before 1800

11 of the remaining 29 Ancestor lines of the T
Group (non
baseline),
with a 23 or 24 match to the baseline

DNA kit numbers in above
chart are in Italic, other numbers are YOB
All townlands above are in Co leitrim unless noted. Last row is
tester's location at the time of the test.

Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born
c. 1800. ** = 3 mutations in one locus * = immigrant,thered +
is a perfect DNA match to each other in above grid. Theblue + above is for
Mike-UK who is a 23 / 25 match to Colin in the Tf Group. **Lac
McTiernan in Quebec named after William. Life in the Canadian
forest 100 years ago

The
symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that year and a ">"
is an event that occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born
before 1800

6 of the remaining 29 Ancestor lines of the T Group
(non
baseline),
with a 23 or 24 match to the baseline (except Gene** 22 / 25)

DNA kit numbers in above chart are in Italic, other
numbers are YOB. All townlands above are in Co leitrim unless
noted. Last row is tester's location at the time of the test.

Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born
c. 1800. ** = 3 mutations in one locus * = immigrant + = Owner of Pub in Naas
with slogan, Hack On to McTernan's

The symbol "<" is an
event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

Ancestor lines
of the Ta, Tb, Tc, Td, Te & Tf
Groups

While
still in their own distinct genetic DNA Group, Scott (AU),
Richard, Adrian and Colin are a 22 / 25 match, John (USA) & Sgt
Chris are a 21 / 25 match and John Frank & Myles are a 18 / 25
match with the T Group baseline.

DNA kit numbers in above
chart are in Italic, other numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches
are in red and are the
baseline for their specific DNA groupAll townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless
otherwise noted. Last row is tester's location at the time of the testAncestors in the light colored row in the above grid
were born c. 1800. * = immigrantthe blue
+ above is for Colin who is a 23 / 25 match with Mike-UK
in the T Group

The symbol "<"
is an event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event
that occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

9 of the 14 in the T 2 Group baseline
of
the 23 total Ancestor lines in the T 2 Group

DNA kit numbers in above chart are
in Italic, other numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in redand are the baseline for the T2
DNA group All townlands above are
in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row is tester's location at
the time of the test. Ancestors in the light colored row in the above
grid were born c. 1800. * = immigrant. ** see
164166. Scardan townland above is no longer listed in Killarga
parish

The symbol "<" is an
event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

5 of the 14 in the T 2 Group baseline
of
the 23 total Ancestor lines in the T 2 Group

DNA kit numbers in above chart are
in Italic, other numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in redand are the baseline for the T2
DNA group All townlands above are
in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row is tester's location at
the time of the test. Ancestors in the light colored row in the above
grid were born c. 1800. * = immigrant. Jerry Mack
Rd, Ocean City, MD is named after Jerry McTernan, the grandfather of Jerry McTernan
251863 above.
Scardan townland above is no longer listed in Killarga parish

The symbol "<" is an
event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

9 of the
remaining 23 Ancestor lines of the T2 Group (non baseline),
with a 23 or 24 match to the baseline (except Dan-W with 22/25)

DNA
kit numbers in above chart are in Italic, other numbers are YOB. All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise
noted. Last row is tester's location at the time of the test. Ancestors
in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800. * =
immigrant. The red +
in the above grid is a 24 / 25 DNA match to each other. Nigel &
Patsy only match 24 / 25 but as they are 1st cousins they become the
baseline of the T2a Group.

The McTernan family history from Tullycorka written
by Brother Gerald McTernan shows that he is related to Jim (NJ). Leo,
Eoghan, Jim (MA), Jim (NJ), John W., Cathal and Scott (CO) match 25 /
25. John L., Cindi, Jim, Maryellen and Kathy are related to Scott (CO).
The symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that year
and a ">" is an event that occurred after that year, e.g.
<1800 means born before 1800. Cathal's grandfather, James
1876-, had four additional siblings, Patrick, Bridget, Ellen & Mary
Gaffney, nee McTiernan

9 in the T 3 Group baseline
of
the 15 total Ancestor lines of the T 3 Group

DNA kit numbers
at the bottom are in Italic,
other numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in redand are the baseline for the T3 DNA
Group. All townlands above are
in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row is tester's location at
the time of the test.
Ancestors in the light colored row were born c. 1800-. * =
immigrant. Michael, c 1840, was another son of Lawrence, c
1810- in the above grid in Scott (CO)'s line and had a
son, Lawrence, 1869-1904 who
died in Brooklyn, NY. John, 1869-, in Sean-SF line
had a total of 12 kids, only 4 showing above.
Megan and Shannon are Sean-SF's sisters.

The symbol "<" is
an event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

6 of the
15 remaining Ancestor lines of the T 3 Group (non baseline),
with a 23 or 24 match to the baseline

DNA kit numbers
at the bottom are in Italic,
other numbers are YOB. All
townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row is
tester's location at the time of the test.
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800.
A ** in
the above grid are a perfect DNA match to each other. * = immigrant

The symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that
year and a ">" is an event that occurred after that year, e.g.
<1800 means born before 1800

Ancestor lines of the T3c, T3b & T3a
Groups

While still in their own distinct genetic
DNA Group, David (NJ), Cathal-NI, John C. 7 JohnV are 22 / 25, JohnEN is a 21 / 25 match, Gus is a 21 / 25
and Ed (NJ) is a 20 /
25 match with the T3
baseline

DNA kit numbers at the bottom are in Italic, other numbers are YOB.
Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in redand
are the baseline for their specific DNA Group.
All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row
is tester's location at the time of the test. Ancestors
in the light colored row in the above
grid were born c. 1800. * = immigrant. JohnEN and Cathal-NI are
related. + = decends
Queen Elizabeth II

The symbol "<" is an event that
occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that occurred after
that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

Ancestor lines of the T3e & T3d Groups

While still in their own distinct genetic
DNA Group, Sean, Paul-NI
& Thady are
a 20 / 25 and JohnL is
a 19 / 25 and Peter is a 17
/ 25 match with the T3 baseline

DNA kit numbers
at the bottom are in Italic,
other numbers are YOB. Perfect 25 / 25 matches are in redand are the baseline for their
specific DNA Group.
All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted. Last row
is tester's location at the time of the test. Ancestors
in the light colored row in the above
grid were born c. 1800. * = immigrant. + Sean above
relates to Thady and JohnL.

The
symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that year and a ">"
is an event that occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born
before 1800. Warren
in the T4 DNA Group is in the Q Haplogroup.

Any
female MacTighernans listed above must have a male relative with the
surname of MacTighernan do the DNA test

In the French line above,
Patrick, 1827-, had a brother Charles, 1839-, that came to the
USA All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted.
2nd last row would be tester's location at the time of the test
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800.
* = immigrant

Charles C. McTernan, 1882--, in the
above grid was the founder of The
McTernan School, Waterbury, CT whose
male line may be extent. Gwen Brogdon's McTernan line comes from
the townlands of Killavoggy and Sweetwood Lower in Co Leitrim which are
two of the townlands that were owned by Rory's McTernan family that
originated in Sweetwood, Co Leitrim then Mountallen, Co Roscommon then
Heapstown, Co Sligo. Maria Daly above had 8 kids.

The symbol "<"
is an event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event
that occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

Any
female MacTighernans listed above must have a male relative with the
surname of MacTighernan do the DNA test

All townlands above are in Co
Leitrim unless otherwise noted. 2nd last row would be tester's location
at the time of the test
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800.
* = immigrant

The symbol "<" is an event that occurred before that
year and a ">" is an event that occurred after that year, e.g.
<1800 means born before 1800

All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless
otherwise noted. 2nd last row would be tester's location at the time of
the test
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800
* = immigrant. Cormac was also known as John

The symbol "<" is an
event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800 9999

Any
female MacTighernans listed above must have a male relative with the
surname of MacTighernan do the DNA test

All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless
otherwise noted. 2nd last row would be tester's location at the time of
the test
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800
* = immigrant. Cormac was also known as John

The symbol "<" is an
event that occurred before that year and a ">" is an event that
occurred after that year, e.g. <1800 means born before 1800

MacTighernans & their ancestors that
should want to do the DNA test

5th table of 7 of 53 MacTighernans yet to
be tested

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

TBD

Co
Leitrim

Co
Leitrim

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

Ramon
Veira McTiernan

SeanSP

Paul

Michael

John
Anthony

Conor

Dave

Spain

Spain

New Zealand

Philippines

Norway

Japan

Switzerland

Any
female MacTighernans listed above must have a male relative with the
surname of MacTighernan do the DNA test

All townlands above are in Co Leitrim unless otherwise noted.
2nd last row would be tester's location at the time of the test.
Ancestors in the light colored row in the above grid were born c. 1800.
* = immigrant. Ramon's mother is a McTiernan

Known Townland of Origin for the
McTernans / McTiernans / MacTiernans
/ McKiernans in the DNA test

Perfect 25 / 25 matches have a red
background and are the baseline for each of the 18 DNA groups with each
group in their own color

* = Gene has 3 mutations off the T
Group baseline but all in the same Locus [category]. * = JohnL
has 3 mutations off the T3d baseline but is related to Thady &
Sean. Dan-W has 3 mutations off the T2 Group baseline with a 24 / 25
match to Jim-P in the T2 Group. + Cathal-NI
and JohnEN are related. Warren in the T4 DNA Group is in the Q
Haplogroup

Mark 673's & Martin 3713's townland of Leonagh, Co Leitrim is now
in the Catholic sub parish of Creevelea as listed in the above chart.
Back in time [c 1857 or before] Leonagh was in the Catholic Parish of
Killargue. Leonagh lies on the shore of Belhavel Lake at the upper end
of Killargue parish
and is today a sub parish of Drumkerrin. [6-7-2001 letter fromPadraic
Cullen]. Mountallen,
the family seat for Rory's family [kit 1029] is in Kilronan parish in
Co Roscommon.

Townland of Origin for the
McTernans / McTiernans / MacTiernans
that have not yet taken the DNA test

Any
female in the above grid must have a male relative with the surname of
MacTighernan take the DNA test.

Gwen Brogdon's McTernan line is from the townlands of
Killavoggy and Sweetwood Lower in Co Leitrim. Those two townlands were
mentioned in the last Will of James McTernan of Heapstown and
Mountallen, the ancestor of Rory MacTiernan. John-Rev's line comes from
Killavoggy also. The latitude N 54.09.00 is the line running east to
west along the north shore of Lough Allen in Co Leitrim.

The origins of the MacTighernans that know
their townland of origin are between the latitudes of N
53.48.35 to N 54.19.50 and the longitudes of
W 7.06.20 to W
8.43.48. The Geographic map showing the townland locations by longitude
and latitude is at:
http://mctiernan.com/McTmaps.htmThe specific
location in longitude and latitude of known townlands is detailed on
this web site along with some early MacTighernan history:
http://mctiernan.com/location.htm

This web site gives a very good view of the wider Irish DNA studies
for 1750 Irish families.
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/IrelandHeritage

A recent study by Brian Mcvoy was conducted at Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland, which found that a striking percent of men in Ireland
(and quite a few in Scotland) share the same Y chromosome, suggesting
that the 5th-century warlord known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages" may
be the ancestor of one in 12 Irishmen. Niall established a dynasty of
powerful chieftains that dominated the island for six centuries. The T3
Group baseline matches Niall's DNA 23 / 25 so they would descend from
Niall, his uncle, his cousin or his brother. The remaining DNA groups
in the MacTighernan study are not even close. Details are at this web
site: http://www.familytreedna.com/matchnialltest.html

Several of the most recent
MacTighernans tested have scored a higher number of mutations than
previous testers, i.e. Gus in the T3b Group & Ed (NJ) in the T3c
Group and Michael (Eng) in the T2 Group. Michael (Eng) had a 3 step
mutation in locus 25 which is very unusual but loci 21 - 25 mutate more
frequently than others. The problem here is that the last four loci
have a different way of being tested. What looks like individual
mutations can and most often are repeat mutations. This poses the
problem of how to score the test and then secondarily how we relate to
each other. FamilytreeDNA has published a web site that is based on mutation
event differences which is a combination of both differences in
loci and differences in mutations.

The mutation event difference
takes into account false repeats in loci 464a-d that look like
mutations but aren't. Michael (Eng)'s has a 3 loci difference with a
total of 5 mutations from the T2 baseline. Off the FTdna web site
Michael (Eng) shows an mutation
event difference of 2 to his T2 baseline not a difference of 3
loci or 5 mutations. All but one of Michael (Eng)'s mutation activity
is in the last 4 loci [464a-d] which is the most confusing to score. So
I have changed all our scores on how we match up and relate to each
other to reflect what the FTdna lab test site says they are. However,
the raw scores have not been altered, being listed exactly as they have
been reported.

This indicates that the MacTighernan
testers have fallen into 18 unrelated, separate and distinct DNA groups
that do not genetically relate. This is based on recent studies, where
the FTdna lab now says that if you have a 2 mutation event difference [23/25]
you still relate and the probability of a close relationship is good,
however the results show mutations and therefore more time has elapsed
between the common ancestor for yourself and the others that you match
23 / 25 or better. If your have a 3 mutation
event difference [22/25] you probably do not relate and are
outside of the closest DNA group. Both Scott (AU) and Gene are 3 event
mutations off the T Group baseline. Scott (AU)'s 3 event mutations are
spread over 3 different loci. Gene's on the other hand are all in one
locus, locus # 1. Based on this and the lab's opinion that it is a
radical mutation Gene is listed in the T Group whereas Scott (AU) is
not. Scott (AU) forms his own separate DNA Group, Ta which is one of
the 18 DNA groups.Dan-W has 3
mutations off the T2 Group baseline but still is listed in the T2 group
due to a 24 / 25 match with Jim-P who is in the T2 DNA Group.
Colin has a 3 event mutation off the T Group baseline and therefore
forms his own DNA group, Tf. Colin matches Mike-UK in the T
Group 23 / 25. JohnL has a 22 / 25 match to the T3d
baseline but he is related to Thady and to Sean who is in the
T3d baseline.

Chris McTurnan's scores are off 4 from the T Group baseline
which genetically puts him outside of the T Group baseline. However,
Chris does match Douglas 23 / 25 which means that he and Douglas
genetically relate. Douglas is in the T Group and Chris's 4 mutations
are among the 13 that have the highest frequency rate. So Chris may in
fact be closer to the T Group baseline than the scores suggest but that
has to be better understood. Being consistent until more is known.

The below grid has the raw test scores. The terms locus [loci is the
plural of locus] and DYS all pretty much mean the same thing. I would
just look at them as categories. DYS stands for: D = DNA, Y =
Y-chromosome, S = (unique) segment. The DYS numbering scheme (e.g.
DYS390, DYS394) for the Y-STR haplotype loci is controlled and
administered by an international standards body called HUGO Human Gene
Nomenclature Committee based at University College, London. DYS is the
scientific allele number.

Each tester's scores are valid and differences are only
considered mutations when contrasted to the baseline of their closest
DNA group. As an example all testers that are listed as T + 1 or T + 2
are in the T Group but show mutations off of the T Group baseline by
one or two. While the Ta, Tb, Tc, Td & Te testers are outside of
the T Group baseline range and in their own specific group their
mutations are still compared to the T Group baseline. The T3a through
the T3e groups are outside the T3 Group baseline range as well and
their mutations are also shown off the T3 Group baseline. All testers
in the T2 Group likewise show mutations against the T2 Group
baseline. The T4 Group stands alone.

Each
individual's test results are matched and compared to the baseline of
their closest specific DNA group and all the other MacTighernans. Those
that have a perfect match i.e. 25 / 25 in their specific DNA group
become part of the baseline of their DNA group. At this time nine of
the 18 DNA groups have only one individual. Eoghan and Jim (NJ) both in
the baseline of the T3 Group match each other on the 37 marker test, 36
/ 37 which means they closely relate.

As stated earlier my goal is to map the genetic
and geographic origins of all MacTighernans. If you are a close genetic
match, 23 or 24 out of 25 markers with another MacTighernan in your DNA
group you may have a lot of work to do to find the common ancestor but
still you are on the right path. Also, the remaining question in our
DNA test group is if one of us is off a specific baseline by 3 or 4
mutations or rather mutation events which
implies that you are in a whole separate and distinct DNA group and you
do not genetically relate to that baseline or your common ancestor is
well beyond 2000 years or 70 generations back in time then that leaves
the question of how we all ended up with identical surnames, if
surnames only began in the year 1120. A guess is that way back in time
before surnames came into use there existed in or around Cos Leitrim,
Roscommon, Sligo or Cavan a tribe or clan whose leader was called
MacTighernan.

In Gaelic, MacTighernan means "son
of Lord". When surnames first started about 1120 all the male
warriors in the clan might have just taken the chief's name for
themselves which might be a reasonable explanation or guess as to how
we all ended up with 18 different genetic groups from one small area of
Connacht, Ireland all with the same surname or close variant.

Scores
MacTighernan actual raw test scores for the 18 DNA groupsEach of the groups are in a different color. Single step
mutations off a baseline in the below grid are in red ( ) and 2 or 3 step mutations
are indark blue [ ] The testers
in the left column that are the baselines for each of their individual
18 DNA groups have a light red backgroundThese are raw scores
compared to the baseline of the 3 major groups, e.g. Te Group compared
to the T Group, event mutations differences may be less than raw scores

Scott (AU) 639 T a Group
Richard 135598 T a Group
Adrian 106134 T a Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

(13)

12

13

13

30

17

9

9

11

11

25

15

19

29

15

15

(16)

(16)

John
(USA) 635 T b Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

12

12

13

13

30

(18)

9

9

11

11

25

15

19

[27]

15

15

(16)

17

Chris
McTurnan 31886 T c Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

12

(11)

13

13

30

17

9

(10)

11

11

25

15

19

(30)

15

15

[15]

17

John
Frank 117676 T d Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

12

(13)

13

13

(29)

(18)

9

(10)

11

11

25

15

19

(30)

(14)

(14)

17

17

Myles
187076 T e Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

12

(13)

13

13

(29)

17

9

(10)

11

11

(26)

15

19

29

(14)

(14)

(16)

17

Colin
187078 T f Group

13

24

14

11

11

14

12

12

12

13

13

30

17

9

9

11

11

25

15

19

[27]

(14)

15

17

17

Scores
MacTighernan actual raw test scores for the 18 DNA groupsEach of the groups are in a different color. Single step
mutations off a baseline in the below grid are in red ( ) and 2 or 3 step mutations
are indark blue [ ] The testers
in the left column that are the baselines for each of their individual
17 DNA groups have a light red backgroundThese are raw scores
compared to the baseline of the 3 major groups, e.g. Te Group compared
to the T Group, event mutations differences may be less than raw scores